Training
We began our Shiba Inu training and early development program more than 10 years ago after meeting a family searching for a Shiba Inu beyond the earliest puppy stage—one that was already familiar with basic obedience, comfortable on a leash, and better prepared for everyday home life. What began as a way to help one family soon developed into a valued program for others seeking well-mannered, confident Shiba Inu puppies with a strong foundation before going home.
Today, our program focuses on early socialization, foundational obedience, leash introduction, crate familiarity, confidence building, and positive exposure to everyday environments. Because Shiba Inus are intelligent, alert, and naturally independent, early structure and consistent guidance can make a meaningful difference in helping them adapt successfully to family life.
Training
Our training program begins early using Puppy Culture–based development, Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), and the Rule of 7s to help our Corgi puppies adapt confidently to new sounds, people, and environments. These early exposures play a crucial role in building confidence and resilience during the most important developmental stages.
At around 7 weeks, puppies are introduced to leash walking and crate training. Leash training starts by allowing puppies to feel the weight of the leash while following us naturally, using gentle guidance and positive reinforcement such as kibble or small treats. Crate training helps establish healthy routines, bladder control, and independence, making the transition to their new homes smoother and stress-free.
Obedience
Obedience begins with a strong recall foundation. At Mishmo Shiba Inu, our puppies are introduced early to simple sound cues such as a whistle, kiss, or snap, which are consistently paired with food rewards and positive interaction. Using classical conditioning principles, puppies begin learning that these sounds—and eventually their name and the “Come” command—signal something positive. This is especially valuable for Shiba Inus, a breed known for its intelligence, independence, and naturally strong curiosity.
As puppies progress, we introduce foundational commands such as Sit, Down, Stay, Come, and Place using positive reinforcement, repetition, and age-appropriate engagement. We also begin building comfort with leash walking, crate routines, handling, and everyday household expectations.
For families choosing our trained Shiba Inu puppy program, training continues with additional confidence-building and enrichment exercises. Depending on the puppy’s age, temperament, and progress, these may include Heel, extended Stay, improved recall, doorway manners, calm settling, High Five, Roll Over, Crawl, and other interactive skills. Not every puppy will master every exercise at the same pace, but the goal is to make learning enjoyable while establishing a strong routine for future training.
Our training program includes several development levels, including Started Puppies, Partially Trained Puppies, and Trained Young Adult Shiba Inus. Each trained puppy goes home with clear guidance outlining the commands, verbal cues, hand signals, routines, and training methods they have learned, helping families maintain consistency after their puppy arrives home.
Families selecting more advanced training levels may also receive additional training resources and video guidance to support a smooth transition and continued development. At Mishmo Shiba Inu, our goal is to provide every trained puppy with a confident foundation while giving their new family the tools needed to continue building a positive, lifelong relationship.
Training Levels
Fully Trained puppies are like grade-school students. They have moved beyond the basics and can reliably follow commands with less supervision. These puppies are fully crate trained, have strong potty training habits, and can comfortably hold their bladder for several hours depending on age and routine.
They walk well on a leash, respond consistently to Come (recall), and understand commands such as Sit, Down, Stay, Place, Heel, and Leave It. They also perform fun, confidence-building skills like High Five, Sit Pretty, Roll Over, Crawl, Dance, and Fetch. While they still benefit from structure and continued practice, Fully Trained puppies understand expectations clearly and are eager to work and please.
These puppies are ideal for families who want a smoother transition into home life with fewer early training challenges.
Fully trained dogs are about 1 year olds. They understand wrong, their commands, how to play well with others, but can still lose focus so they still need a leash. These dogs walk on leash, are crate trained, potty trained up to 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours, understand their commands with hand signals, and have learned fetch. Different pricing on these are based on ability and age.
Young Adult dogs are like teenagers heading into adulthood. They have completed foundational training and have the maturity, focus, and self-control that come with age. They are reliably house trained, crate trained, and comfortable with everyday routines at home and in public settings.
Young Adults respond confidently to commands such as Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Heel, Place, and Leave It, and walk politely on leash with minimal guidance. Their longer attention spans allow them to maintain commands even around distractions. While continued reinforcement is always encouraged, these Shiba Inus transition easily into family life and adapt quickly to new environments.
Young Adult Shiba Inus are an excellent option for families seeking a well-mannered, confident companion without the time commitment required for early puppy training.
Young Adults are potty trained, and work off leash in addition to everything above. Pricing depends on level, type of training, whether they are altered, and have had their elbows and hips evaluated. Most of our Young Adults will have passed their AKC Canine Good Citizenship test.